13 New Gadgets Everyone Wants for Christmas

Whether you're shopping for a techie or a kid, an adventurer or a gamer, it can be a challenge to keep up with what's hot. That's why we've developed a cheat sheet—a list of 13 gifts that are sure to surprise and delight friends, family, and coworkers. Click through to see some of our favorite electronics to give (and to get) in 2018.

By Bob Vila Staff | Updated Aug 11, 2023 04:56 AM

BLACK+DECKER Helix Performance Premium Hand Mixer

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BLACK+DECKER Helix Performance Premium Hand Mixer

Make the baker in your life smile every time they work with the colorful hand mixer that even Oprah calls one of her Favorite Things. This new cooking appliance from BLACK+DECKER is as useful as it is good-looking, outfitted with all of the tools to make batters, doughs, dips, whipped creams, and meringues: two Helix beaters, two dough hooks, one wire whisk, and five speeds. Choose from eight color options, ranging from brights to neutrals. Available on Amazon; $29.99.

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Google Smart Light Starter Kit

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Google Smart Light Starter Kit

This season, you can give the gift of a smarter home for a steal of a price. This set from GE bundles a smart LED bulb (just what every nightstand or entryway needs) with a Google Mini at a cost that's only $6 more than the retail value of the smart assistant alone—which, we'll add, packs the possibility of other smart home controls. The C Life by GE bulb is designed to pair with Google smart assistants (no other hardware required) so that you can brighten or dim the bulb just by saying, "Hey Google..." Once you have your recipient hooked, extras only cost $25 per pair at Target. Available at Target; $55.

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Google Home Hub

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Google Home Hub

Better than a command center, this 7-inch touchscreen combines calendars, weather reports, maps, Google Photos collections, music playlists—even controls for connected smart home devices like thermostats, lighting, and video doorbells. While anyone can benefit from the voice-activated device, we think it's especially genius for a home chef who likes to work from a recipe or the occasional YouTube tutorial because you can use it hands-free. Simply ask it to call out cooking instructions or have it help you multitask by setting reminders and creating shopping lists as you work. Available on Target; $149.


Related: 50 Great Gadgets for a Smarter Home

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Anker PowerPort Wireless 5 Stand

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Anker PowerPort Wireless 5 Stand

So, you have an impulse buyer on your shopping list who can never wait to buy the newest phone. While you may not be able to surprise him or her with that piece of tech, you could still wrap up a pleasant surprise. Anticipate the juice the smartphone will need by picking out an accessory that provides ultimate convenience: a wireless charging stand. This one from Anker charges any Qi-compatible device quicker than other wireless chargers of its kind without forcing the user to figure out where exactly that cord fell each time. Plus, the phone stays upright so that no messages or notifications go missed. Available on Amazon; $19.99.

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Anova Precision Cooker Nano

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Anova Precision Cooker Nano

A sous vide precision cooker puts the power in any home chef's hands to cook restaurant-quality dinners in their own kitchens. The appliance works by circulating water to heat it to the very precise temperature needed to cook any food exactly how you like it. And this Bluetooth-activated one from Anova includes more than 1,000 recipes to choose from in its mobile app. So really, wrapping it up for under the tree is basically like gifting a year of perfect steaks, pork chops, fish filets, poached eggs, and more. Available on Amazon; $74.99.


Related: 10 Gadgets for Every Lazy Cook's Kitchen

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Philips Somneo Wake-Up Light

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Philips Somneo Wake-Up Light

Know someone who isn't a morning person? This newest wake-up light from Philips gradually cycles through soft red, warm orange, and bright yellow hues like a sunrise to ease users into the day ahead. And, at the end of the day, it lulls them to sleep with a RelaxBreathe sequence that times soothing white noise sounds to a sunset. Plus, order this from Amazon and you'll get the gift of calm in a hectic holiday season—that is, a 3-month Headspace subscription for a library of guided meditations conducted through a mobile app. (You can regift that add-on, but we won't judge if you keep it for yourself.) Available on Amazon; $199.99.


Related: 10 Ways to Buy a Better Sleep

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Fossil Smartwatch, 4th Generation

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Fossil Smartwatch, 4th Generation

The trendiest, most stylish person you know is sure to appreciate the new line of Fossil smartwatches. Each design combines the brand's classic sophistication—rose gold and stainless steel finishes, stitched leather, stainless steel links—with cutting-edge tech. Now a most fashionable accessory with Wear OS by Google can track your heart rate, make purchases using Google Pay, pass along smartphone notifications, and more on its glass touchscreen. Available on Amazon; starting at $255.

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Nintendo Switch

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Nintendo Switch

Although this toy was released last year, it still has plenty of appeal in 2018 thanks to its versatility and consistently high game quality. The Nintendo Switch's portable size and 6.2-inch screen are great for gamers who want to play on-the-go and then continue later on a much bigger screen at home once the screen has been docked. Best of all, it invites friends to play in either setup thanks to its detachable left and right controllers. Available at Target; $299.99.

target.com

GoPro Hero7

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GoPro Hero7

Shopping for someone who is always planning an outdoor excursion? The newest camera from GoPro makes it easy to document just about any adventure, from sailing and snorkeling to ATV tours and hikes. Its compact size, serious waterproofing (up to 33 feet), and easy hands-free to handheld shooting make it an ideal travel accessory. The advanced model features the best stabilization yet via HyperSmooth technology, ultimately ensuring the best footage for videos and timelapses. Plus, the new SuperPhoto setting (which intelligently enhances photos with HDR and color corrects) enable users to spend more time planning the next trip and less time sorting through photos and videos after-the-fact. Available on Amazon; $397.99.


Related: 11 Gifts for Gadget-Loving Guys and Gals

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Tile Pro

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Tile Pro

When the original Tile launched just a few short years ago, nobody knew it would become such a favorite. But for those who sometimes lose track of their belongings—ahem, that’s pretty much everyone—"the anything finder" soon proved to be a godsend. How does it work? Simply attach a Tile to anything you don’t want to lose, then use the Tile app to find the item as soon as it goes missing. The company's most advanced model to date, the ever-reliable Tile Pro offers not only waterproof durability but twice the range of the company's other models (up to 300 feet) and a ringer that's louder than ever. Plus, the battery is easy for the owner to replace after a year of use. Available on Amazon; $59.99 for 2-pack.


Related: 50 Under $50 Gifts for Homeowners

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Furbo Dog Camera

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Furbo Dog Camera

This next gift might be labeled "To Fido," but it's also one for yourself. Feel less guilty the next time you leave your pooch behind when you activate the Furbo Dog Camera. In addition to providing you with livestream video of your dog, the device records any sounds inside your house, sends alerts if your pet starts barking, and allows you to talk through the speakers to help calm down your dog. The coolest part? Using the connected app, you can dispense treats to your furry friend to provide nourishment and entertainment while you’re away. Available on Amazon ; $199.


Related: 10 House Hacks Every Pet Owner Needs to Know

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Atari Flashback 8 Gold

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Atari Flashback 8 Gold

One of the coolest gadgets this year isn’t all that new. The Atari Flashback 8 Gold has the looks of the retro video game console with some modernized improvements, like HDMI connectivity and wireless controllers. It comes with 120 built-in games, including classics like Space Invaders and Centipede, as well as some new additions. The ‘80s kid and Gen Z teen (and everyone in between!) will love this beloved video game console. Available at Target; $64.99.


Related: 10 Gifts to Get Now Before They're Gone

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Mini Camera Drone

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Mini Camera Drone

Kids and adults alike will love a flying gadget that takes photography skills to the next level. The Altair Quadcopter camera drone allows you to capture first-person aerial pictures with its premium 120-degree wide-angle 720p camera. Navigating the drone is a breeze, thanks to its headless mode, altitude hold, and one-button takeoff and landing. Reach heights of 100 meters for as long as 10 minutes per charge! Users can even create custom routes with their smartphone. Available on Amazon; $129.80.


Related: The 50 Hottest Gifts from Home Depot

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